Training devices for ballet and ice skating

ABSTRACT

An exercise and training device for ballet and figure skating performers having pivotally interconnected front and rear panel members defining a narrow elongated slot therebetween for retaining the user&#39;&#39;s feet in oppositely extending directions, and screw means for adjusting the spacing of said front member relative to said rear member. Once properly adjusted, the performer may stand between said panel members and be snugly gripped thereby to facilitate bending backwardly and forwardly for loosening and strengthening various muscles of the body. Such exercising is further facilitated by the fact that the performer&#39;&#39;s feet may be moved laterally various distances during the exercising period.

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States Patent SKATING 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 272/57 D, 272/703 [51] int. Cl A63b23/04, A63b 69/00 151)]Field of Search 272/70, 70.3, 70.4, 57, 60; 101/297. 287, 298

|5o| References Cited 18,527 111/1857 Morse 1. 101/287 138.600 5/1873Kelsey 101/297 195,247 9/1877 Atwater Primary Examiner-Richard C.Pinkham Assistant ExaminerPaul E. Shapiro Attorney-Woodhzims, Blanchardand Flynn ABSTRACT: An exercise and training device for ballet andfigure skating performers having pivotally interconnected front and rearpanel members defining a narrow elongated slot therebetween forretaining the user's feet in oppositely ex tending directions, and screwmeans for adjusting the spacing of said front member relative to saidrear member. Once properly adjusted, the performer may stand betweensaid panel members and be snugly gripped thereby to facilitate bendingbackwardly and forwardly for loosening and strengthening various musclesof the body. Such exercising is further facilitated by the fact that theperformer's feet may be moved laterally various distances during theexercising period.

PATENIEU SEP28 :sn

SHEEY E OF 2 INVENTOR. PU/V 7 TRAINING DEVICES FOR BALLET AND ICESKATING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The inventionrelates to an exercising device and more particularly to a device whichpermits an individual to perform exercises by bending the trunk of thebody backward or forward as the legs are held fixedly in a selectedposition.

The beginning student of ballet or figure skating is quick to realizethat a great deal of exercise and training is required in thedevelopment and retention of the graceful and well formed backward andforward bending actions of the body. Numerous muscles previouslyunaccustomed to such actions must be taught to coordinate with othermuscles. Several muscles, such as the biceps femoris, vastus externus,rectus abdominis and other must be strengthened and elongated.

In the past, various methods and devices have been proposed for musculardevelopment. For example, directions, for many years, ballet studentshave exercised by bending forward or backward over a bar or rail.Although such exercising will develop the desired muscles if properlyexecuted, there are rather substantial disadvantages, For example, thereis no assurance that the student will retain a proper positioning of thelegs during the period of exercise. Even though the student begins in aproper position, such as with the feet pointing outwardly in oppositedirections,c8 the natural tendency of the body may soon cause thestudent to assume an incorrect position with the feet pointing at leastsomewhat in the same direction. Another device shown in a prior patentprovides a means for exercising the legs by moving the feet to point inopposite directions. Although this device does stretch certain muscles,it does not provide a means especially adapted for exercising by thebending backward and forward of the trunk of the body while the feet arein this aligned position. This device also fails to permit lateralmovement of the feed during exercising.

It is therefore highly desirable that an apparatus be provided for theexercising of ballet and figure skating performers which will retain thefeet in a position wherein they each point in a direction away from theother and at the same time provide an apparatus which will hold the hipsand knees in a proper relationship to each other. To the best ofapplicants knowledge, there has until the'present invention been no suchapparatus devised.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION More specifically, the ultimate objective ofthe invention is to train the user of a device embodying the inventionto artistically perform with grace, balance and control; if an iceskater, the spread eagles and related moves and if a ballet dancer, theseconde position a terre" and similar and related positions. Thisultimate artistic objective can only be achieved by first attaining acertain physiological objective, namely, to be able to fully turn outboth feet:

1. With ease and without strain,

2. When in an erect body position,

3. By outward rotation of the hip and not by foot movement,

4. With proper pelvic position, i.e., with rump tucked in and under,

5. With the entire base of both feet touching the floor, i.e., withoutinversion or eversion of the feet,

6. With slightly more of the weight on the outside of the feet than onthe inside,

7. With the knees straight open and in line from hip to toe,

8. And achieving such positioning with distances varying fromapproximately 12 to 18 inches between the heels.

This invention "makes possible a carefully controlled exercise whichpermits the user to attain the above-stated physiological objectivewhich, in turn, makes possible the achievement of the above-statedartistic objective. The device accomplishes the objective by promoting aconditioning of the hip joint and rendering flexible and elastic theassociated leg and pelvic muscles, ligaments and tendons whiledeveloping a sense of balance. The feet, knees and pelvis are held fixedin a correct position and alignment thereby providing a carefullydisciplined posture.

The user may remain locked in the device for increasing intervals oftime, perhaps beginning with 5 minutes and gradually increasing to 30minutes or more, thereby stretching, limbering, relaxing and releasingthe various proper muscles, ligaments and tendons, which hold andcontrol the leg attachment to the pelvis at the hip joint. The adjustingscrew permits the user to regulate the amount of pressure applied at theknees, thus stretching and releasing the abductory muscles andpermitting outward rotation of the hip joint.

Therefore, the specific objects of the present invention include:

1. To provide an apparatus for the exercising of ballet and figureskating performers whereby various muscles may be strengthened andelongated as said muscles are taught to operate in coordination.

2. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the feet may be heldin a position where they are pointing away from each other with theknees and hips retained in the proper position as the participantperforms various exercises.

3. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the participant neednot be concerned about retaining the proper position during the periodof exercising.

4. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, which can be entirely operatedby a single individual without assistance.

5. To provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the feet may belocated at various distances from each other as the ex ercises areperformed.

Various other objectives and advantages will be recognized by thoseinvolved in the development of ballet and figure skating performers uponreading the following description and examining the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the ballet train ingdevice.

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention taken alongthe line lll--III in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention similar toFIG. 3 with the device in a closed position.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of another modified embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along lineVl-Vl in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment of the device suitable for use by anice skater.

For the purpose of convenience in description, the terms upward,"downward, leftward, rightwar and words of similar reference will referto the structure of the invention and parts associated therewith asappearing in FIGS. 1 and 3. The terms inner, outer" and words of similarimport will have reference to the geometric center of said apparatus andparts thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The ballet training device I0 is comprised of abase I1, a front surface member 112, a rear surface member 13, brace 14and an adjusting means 16.

The base 11 comprises a substantially horizontal portion 17 and a shortvertical leg 18. Leg I8 and rear member 13 may be secured to portion 17,such as by bolts w. Rear member 13 is constructed of sheet material andhas disposed approximately in the center thereof a vertically elongatedopening 20 for purposes hereinafter discussed. A plurality of holes 21are disposed adjacent each side of opening 20.

The brace 14 is hingedly secured to the rear of member I3, such as byhinge 22. Said hinge 22 may be attached to rear member 13 by suitablemeans, such as bolts 23, and secured to brace 14 by similar means, suchas bolts 24. The brace 14 may be mounted so that it may be positionedsnugly adjacent rear portion 13 when the training device is being storedor transported and may be moved to a position with the lower end spacedfrom base 11 when the device 10 is in use. A suitable means 26, such asa rope or cord, may be provided for limiting the distance the lower endof the brace 14 may be spaced from base 11. A pair of holes 27 and 28(FIG. 2) may be provided in member 13 through which cord 26 may extend,being secured therein, such as by knot 29 (FIG. 3). Cord 26 may also besecured relative to brace 14 to prevent upward or downward displacement,such as by notches 31 and 32.

Front member 12 is pivotally mounted in respect to base 11. Outwarddisplacement of the lower extremity of front member 12 is prevented,such as by metal straps 33 and 34. In the preferred embodiment, saidstraps 33 and 34 are the sole means of retaining the pivotalrelationship between front portion 12 and base portion 11. This providesfor a very simple, yet effective, means of disassembling the trainingdevice for storage or transportation as will be hereinafter described.Straps 33 and 34 may be secured by conventional means to front leg 18such as by screws 36. Alternatively, member 12 may be mounted to base 11by a pair of hinges. A vertically disposed elongated opening 37 isprovided in front portion 12, said opening being similar to the openingin member 13. A plurality of holes 38 are located adjacent each side ofopening 37. A pair of knee cushions or pads 41 and 42 may be secured tothe inner surface of member 12 such as by a suitable adhesive.Alternatively, knee cushions 41 and 42 may be mounted on screw membersand/or adjustable swivel sockets such that cushions 41 and 42 can beproperly positioned in accordance with the particular shape of the usersknees. A strip 44 may be attached to base 11 if the person using thedevice requires a narrower slot for his feet.

Base 11, front member 12, rear member 13 and brace 14 may be constructedof any suitable material, such as wood, plastic or metal. Preferably,the rear member 13 has a vertical dimension such that the upper edge 43of said member 13 will contact the participants body above the hips. Thefront member 12 may be slightly shorter than rear member 13.

The adjusting means 16 has a socket 47 which is mounted to front member12 by a pair of bolts 48 which are secured in holes 38. The centralopening 49 in socket 47 is aligned with opening 37 in front member 12.The adjusting means 16 also includes an internally threaded member 51,or nut, which is mounted to rear member 13 by a pair of bolts 52 whichare secured in holes 21. The opening 53 in threaded member 51 is alignedwith opening 20 in rear member 13 and opening 49 in socket 47. In orderto provide a more secure mounting of socket 47 and threaded member 51,particularly if front portion 12 and rear portion 13 are constructed ofa relatively soft material such as wood, a washer or metal plate 54 maybe used. A screw 55 is rotatably mounted in socket 47 and threadedlyengaged with member 51, as said screw extends through opening 37 infront member 12 and opening 20 in rear member 13. Screw 55 has a head 56at one end including a handle 57. Said handle may be provided on theends with rubber guards 58.

OPERATION Although the operation of the ballet training device 10 hasbeen somewhat indicated above, it will be further detailed below inorder to insure a more complete understanding of the device. A performer59 may step into the training device 10 without assistance. Theperformer places his left foot into the device such that it is pointingin a leftward direction and then places his right foot into the deviceso that it is pointing in a rightward direction. In such position, asthe performer is facing forward, he may, by bending forward, grasp thehandle 57 in his hands. By rotating handle 57, the performer may causefront portion 12 and rear portion 13 to move closer together until theperformers legs are snugly retained therebetween.

Once the performer is thus secured in the device 10 (FIG. 4), he maycommence the exercises, such as extending his trunk backward anddownward in a clockwise direction, thus lengthening and stretching themuscles in the front portions of his legs and body and permittingoutward rotation of the hips. The performer may strengthen the musclesin the front portions of his legs and body by repeatedly lowering histrunk backward and then raising the trunk. The performer may alsoexercise a different set of muscles by doing similar exercises in theforward direction. If the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13 areproperly adjusted so that they snugly retain the legs yet do not tightlyretain them, the feet may be placed various distances apart as suchexercises are being carried out. It should be noted that even though thelegs are provided with some freedom in lateral movement, the foot, kneeand hip will be retained in a proper relationship to each other. Theperformer may easily release himself from the exercising and trainingdevice by turning handle 57 in an opposite direction, thereby causingfront portion 12 and rear portion 13 to move apart.

If one wishes to disassemble the device for storing or transporting, onemay rotate handle 57 until screw 55 becomes disengaged from threadedmember 51. The front member 12 can then be easily lifted from itsposition on base 11.

MODIFICATIONS The structure of the modified ballet-training device 10A(FIGS. 5 and 6) is similar to ballet training device 10 and thecorresponding parts thereof will be referred to by the same referencenumerals, however, with the suffix A added thereto. The ballet-trainingdevice 10A has a front surface member 12A, a rear surface member 13A, abrace 14A and a first adjusting means 16A. The brace 14A is in thisembodiment fixedly attached at its upper end to rear surface member 13Aby conventional means, such as bolts (not shown) and by block 61. Thelower end of brace 14 is secured to rear surface member 13A by bracemember 62. Ballet-training device 10A does not have a base membercorresponding to base 11 of training device 10, but rather the userstands on the supporting surface such as a floor. The ballet-trainingdevice 10A includes a second adjusting means 63. The adjusting means 63may be constructed substantially the same as adjusting means 16A and hasa socket 64 which is mounted to front member 12A by conventional meanssuch as bolts (not shown). The adjusting means 63 also includes aninternally threaded member 66 mounted to rear member 13A by conventionalmeans. A screw 67 which is rotatably mounted in socket 64 and threadedlyengaged in member 66, has a head 68 at one end thereof for the purposeof adjusting said screw. The ad justment means 63 is disposed in thelower portions for adjustment of front surface member 12A and rearsurface member 13A to provide adjustment thereof in accordance with thewidth of the feet of the particular user.

The ice-skating training device 108 (FIG. 7) is constructed similar toballet-training device 10 and is comprised of a base 118, a frontsurface member 128, a rear surface member 133, a brace 14B and anadjusting means 168. Training device 108 is provided with a slot 76 inbase 118 for reception of the blades 77 of the users ice skates. Thebrace 14B is fixed relative to rear surface member 13B rather than beingcollapsible and has a blade 78 similar to the blade of an ice skatedisposed at its lower end for the support of the training device 108 onthe ice. A pair of similar blades of which one appears at 79 is providedas part of vertical leg 188 for support of the forward portion oftraining device 108. The operation of the ice-skating training device108 is substantially the same as the operation of ballet-training device10 with the additional feature that the user may be put into motion onthe ice during the period of exercising.

Any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention may, if desired, beprovided with blocks 71 and 72 as illustrated in FIG. 6, to cause thefeet 73 and 74 of the user to point slightly rearwardly and thereby tocause the hips to rotate still further in an outward direction.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have beendescribed hereinabove for purposes of illustration, it will be apparentthat variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope ofthe appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A training device for ballet and the like comprising:

front and rear wall means movable toward and away from one another and abase secured relative to at least one of said front and rear wall means,said rear wall means being retained in rigid relationship to said baseand having a brace extending rearwardly therefrom for providingstability and for retaining said rear wall means in a preselectedposition with respect to a supporting surface, and said front wall meansbeing retained in pivotal relationship to said base and said rear wallmeans;

means for retaining said front and rear wall means in spacedrelationship to one another, said retaining means including adjustablemeans for controlling the pivotal movement of said front wall means;

said adjustable means being vertically adjustable relative to saidtraining device and including an internally threaded member mountedrelative to said rear wall means and a socket means mounted relative tosaid front wall means, a horizontal screw means rotatably retained insaid socket means and threadedly engaged in said threaded member, andmeans mounted on the forward end of said screw means for rotating saidscrew means; and

said front and rear wall means including opposite surface means definingan elongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the userin oppositely extending directions.

2. The device defined in claim 1 including a spacer strip disposedadjacent said rear wall means and upon said base.

3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said front wall means isretained in pivotal relationship to said base by a plurality of straps,whereby said device may be disassembled by disengaging said horizontalscrew means from said threaded member and subsequently lifting saidfront wall means from said base.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 including a pair of spacer blocksattached to said front wall means whereby the feet of the user arecaused to point slightly rearwardly.

5. The device of claim 1 including a slot means in said base forpermitting projection of ice skate blades therethrough and blade meansfor supporting said device on an ice surface.

6. An ice-skating training device comprising:

a base member having a downwardly extending blade for support thereofand a longitudinal slot for reception of the blade of an ice skate;

a rear surface member retained in rigid relationship to said base memberand having a rigid, rearwardly extending brace with a support bladedisposed at the lower end thereof;

a front surface member retained in pivotal relationship to said basemember and said rear surface member; and

screw means for adjusting said front and rear surface members in spacedrelationship to one another.

7. A training device for ballet and the like, comprising:

front and rear wall means movable toward and away from one another;

means for retaining said front and rear wall means in spacedrelationship to one another and in a preselected position with respectto a supporting surface;

said front and rear wall means including opposite surface means definingan elongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the userin oppositely extending directions;

said front and rear wall means respectively comprising front and rearpanel members spaced opposite one another and extending approximately ina vertical direction, and a base member extending between andinterconnecting the lower edges of said front and rear panel memberswhereby said base member in cooperation with the lower most portion ofsaid front and rear panel members defines said elongated narrow slot;and

resilient pads secured to the inner surfaces of said front panel memberand disposed for contact with the knees of the user.

8. A device according to claim 7 further including adjustment means forpermitting selected pivotal movement of one of said panel members towardand away from the other of said panel members.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said adjustment means includesan elongated rotatable screw member interconnected between said panelmembers for permitting adjustment in the relative position therebetween,said screw member having a manually engageable handle disposed on oneend thereof adjacent the external side of one of said panel members forpermitting said screw member to be rotated by the user of the devicewhen the users feet are positioned within said elongated slot.

1. A training device for ballet and the like comprising: front and rearwall means movable toward and away from one another and a base securedrelative to at least one of said front and rear wall means, said rearwall means being retained in rigid relationship to said base and havinga brace extending rearwardly therefrom for providing stability and forretaining said rear wall means in a preselected position with respect toa supporting surface, and said front wall means being retained inpivotal relationship to said base and said rear wall means; means forretaining said front and rear wall means in spaced relationship to oneanother, said retaining means including adjustable means for controllingthe pivotal movement of said front wall means; said adjustable meansbeing vertically adjustable relative to said training device andincluding an internally threaded member mounted relative to said rearwall means and a socket means mounted relative to said front wall means,a horizontal screw means rotatably retained in said socket means andthreadedly engaged in said threaded member, and means mounted on theforward end of said screw means for rotating said screw means; and saidfront and rear wall means including opposite surface means defining anelongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the user inoppositely extending directions.
 2. The device defined in claim 1including a spacer strip disposed adjacent said rear wall means and uponsaid base.
 3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said front wallmeans is retained in pivotal relationship to said base by a plurality ofstraps, whereby said device may be disassembled by disengaging saidhorizontal screw means from said threaded member and subsequentlylifting said front wall means from said base.
 4. The device as definedin claim 1 including a pair of spacer blocks attached to said front wallmeans whereby the feet of the user are caused to point slightlyrearwardly.
 5. The device of claim 1 including a slot means in said basefor permitting projection of ice skate blades therethrough and blademeans for supporting said device on an ice surface.
 6. An ice-skatingtraining device comprising: a base member Having a downwardly extendingblade for support thereof and a longitudinal slot for reception of theblade of an ice skate; a rear surface member retained in rigidrelationship to said base member and having a rigid, rearwardlyextending brace with a support blade disposed at the lower end thereof;a front surface member retained in pivotal relationship to said basemember and said rear surface member; and screw means for adjusting saidfront and rear surface members in spaced relationship to one another. 7.A training device for ballet and the like, comprising: front and rearwall means movable toward and away from one another; means for retainingsaid front and rear wall means in spaced relationship to one another andin a preselected position with respect to a supporting surface; saidfront and rear wall means including opposite surface means defining anelongated narrow slot therebetween for retaining the feet of the user inoppositely extending directions; said front and rear wall meansrespectively comprising front and rear panel members spaced opposite oneanother and extending approximately in a vertical direction, and a basemember extending between and interconnecting the lower edges of saidfront and rear panel members whereby said base member in cooperationwith the lowermost portion of said front and rear panel members definessaid elongated narrow slot; and resilient pads secured to the innersurface of said front panel member and disposed for contact with theknees of the user.
 8. A device according to claim 7, further includingadjustment means for permitting selected pivotal movement of one of saidpanel members toward and away from the other of said panel members.
 9. Adevice according to claim 8, wherein said adjustment means includes anelongated rotatable screw member interconnected between said panelmembers for permitting adjustment in the relative position therebetween,said screw member having a manually engageable handle disposed on oneend thereof adjacent the external side of one of said panel members forpermitting said screw member to be rotated by the user of the devicewhen the user''s feet are positioned within said elongated slot.